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Keeping the Joy of Literacy Alive

Jan. 30, 2017

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To promote a love of reading and literacy within our school, Royal Oak School hosted a Literacy Week during the week of January 23-27, ending with a celebration on January 27 in honour of Family Literacy Day.

During the week, students had the opportunity to participate in literacy activities within the school with a focus on Robert Munsch books. Each teacher selected a Robert Munsch book, and then their class decorated their classroom door in a way that featured each book. Each afternoon, students then had the opportunity to visit another classroom to hear a different Robert Munsch book and engaged in a learning activity related to that book.

Students were encouraged to travel throughout the school at all times with a book in hand so they were ready for when the cue to “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) came on. In addition to DEAR, children were also encouraged to take the initiative to read during lunchtime, and prizes were awarded to students when they were “caught reading”.

Each day, there was also a “guess the Munsch book” contest where an excerpt from a Robert Munsch book was read over the announcements and students were to guess which book it could be from.

To conclude Literacy Week, Royal Oak School celebrated Family Literacy Day with students and parents on January 27. Staff and students were encouraged to wear their pyjamas, have crazy hair and bring a favorite stuffy to school to relax and enjoy reading.

The whole school came together with their reading buddies, parents and other special friends such as S4 Constable Will Johnson to read together and to celebrate our love of reading.

A whole school assembly showcased photos from the week during a presentation, awarded class prizes for door decorating and included a special reading from the Principal, Lynn Sparks. The assembly wrapped up with an introduction of a special guest - Spencer Wilson of the Calgary Stampeders. Spencer Wilson then took the time to read to each grade group after the assembly.

To keep the momentum alive, staff and students are looking forward to the launch of their “Literacy Luggage” program, funded by an EducationMatters Grant and the Royal Oak School Fundraising Society in late February. The program, spearheaded by Learning Leader, Sandi Harrower, is to offer engaging, meaningful ways that parents can support their child’s literacy development at home. The luggage includes a storybook with high-quality language, coupled with an engaging, nonfiction book, a hands-on component to support writing and/or word work along with other activities that promote natural literacy connections to the book and extend learning.

The week was a wonderful success, and one that will not soon be forgotten by students, staff and school community.